by Eric Marotta

Editor

Nordonia Hills -- A long-lasting microbial barrier has been added to the anti-bacterial measures the schools are using to combat a rare, but particularly dangerous strain of staphylococcus bacteria, among other skin infections.

Last fall, the school district learned from parents that two students had been treated for MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus), a drug-resistant form of staph infection. According to district spokesperson Patti Koslo, the students underwent treatment and did not require hospitalization.

Jeffrey Kime, who works as the district's sports trainer under a contract through the Cleveland Clinic Health System, said four football players also contracted infections at the beginning of the season, but were isolated and treated with antibiotics.

He said two were MRSA infections and another two were regular staph infections. He said all apparently originated in animal feces such as goose droppings commonly present in outdoor field areas.

"They were all at least a few weeks apart," with the last case in October, he added.

"There's no way we can stop the kids from picking it up and bringing it in, but we can put a stop to it inside," Kime said.

MRSA had received national attention following the death of a Virginia high school student from the germ, which spreads through contact with contaminated materials.

Nordonia Hills School District officials notified parents of local students' cases, and the Summit County Health Department discussed the disease at a Board of Education meeting in November.

Business Manager Tom Hartman said June 26 that a long-lasting chemical has for the past year been applied to surfaces of the high school's athletic facilities and equipment, at no cost under the district's contract for Kime's services.

Known under the trade name "Gold Seal," the product was first used at the beginning of last school year, before the six reported infections, then reapplied June 24, Hartman said.

"We've been impressed with the product," he said, adding he is investigating the cost of extending treatment to the middle school, which also has football and wrestling programs -- activities that require extensive physical contact between students.

Kime said the product can be applied to any surface, even fabrics. He said the barrier provides effective long-term control of bacterial growth on just about any surface, including clothing, by forming a colorless, odorless polymer surface.

"What it does is it forms a permanent barrier on that surface," he said. "This chemical forms little microscopic spears that pierce the germ. It kills mechanically.

"Most uses will require a reapplication every month or more," he said, adding he has applied the spray at least a dozen times through the year.

He said the barrier has been applied to locker room and bathroom facilities, the training room, football offices, outdoor sports equipment and other areas of frequent contact, such as tackling dummies and wrestling mats.

"It really helped keep the odor out of the wrestling room. We had no skin infections in wrestlers this year," he said.

However, another important aspect of the district's strategy is education, Kime said. Athletes are taught to practice good personal hygiene and advised against sharing objects that may harbor bacteria, such as soap and towels.

Other schools that have been treated include the Gilmour Academy, and Kenston, Mayfield, Shaw and Warrensville Heights high schools, Kime said.

E-mail: emarotta@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3171